Cobra (Civil Contingencies Committee) | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/cobra
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The scariest thing about Brussels is our reaction to it | Simon Jenkinshttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/24/scariest-brussels-reactoin-paranoid-politicians-isis-atrocity-belgium
<p>Paranoid politicians, sensational journalists – the Isis recruiting officers will be thrilled at how things have gone since their atrocity in Belgium</p><p>Think like the enemy. Let’s suppose I am an Islamic State terrorist. I don’t do bombs or bullets. I leave the dirty work to the crazies in the basement. My job is what happens next. It is to turn carnage into consequences, body parts into politics. I am a consultant terrorist. I wear a suit, not explosives. A blood-stained concourse is a means to an end. The end is power.</p><p>This week I had another success. I converted a squalid psychopathological act into a warrior-evoking, population-terrifying, policy-changing event. I sent a continent into shock. Famous politicians dropped everything to shower me with cliches. Crowned heads deluged me with glorious odium.</p><p>We should not alter laws, not infringe liberties, not persecute Muslims</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/23/the-photograph-that-has-come-to-define-horrors-of-brussels-attacks">The photograph that has come to define the horrors of the Brussels attacks</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/22/how-america-should-not-respond-brussels-attacks">Here's how not to respond to the Brussels attacks | Ken Gude</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/24/scariest-brussels-reactoin-paranoid-politicians-isis-atrocity-belgium">Continue reading...</a>Brussels attacksCounter-terrorism policyUK security and counter-terrorismPoliticsCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)David CameronTheresa MayIslamic StateBelgiumEuropeWorld newsMediaUK newsThu, 24 Mar 2016 07:00:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/24/scariest-brussels-reactoin-paranoid-politicians-isis-atrocity-belgiumPhotograph: Nicolas Maeterlinck/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Nicolas Maeterlinck/AFP/Getty ImagesSimon Jenkins2016-03-24T07:00:12ZBen Jennings on flooding in northern England – cartoonhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/dec/27/ben-jennings-on-flooding-in-northern-england-cartoon
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/dec/27/ben-jennings-on-flooding-in-northern-england-cartoon">Continue reading...</a>Cobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)FloodingDavid CameronUK newsSun, 27 Dec 2015 20:25:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2015/dec/27/ben-jennings-on-flooding-in-northern-england-cartoonIllustration: Ben JenningsIllustration: Ben JenningsBen Jennings2015-12-27T20:25:10ZUK police and security services help in hunt for Paris attackershttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/15/uk-police-and-security-services-help-in-hunt-for-paris-attackers
<p>Home secretary says heightened security measures will remain in place at ports and cities around Britain</p><p>British police and members of the security services are helping their French and Belgian counterparts in the hunt for the Paris attackers and their accomplices, the home secretary has said. </p><p>Theresa May confirmed increased security measures at ports and in cities around the UK would remain in place in the aftermath of the attacks in the French capital in which at least 129 people were killed.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/15/uk-police-and-security-services-help-in-hunt-for-paris-attackers">Continue reading...</a>Paris attacksUK security and counter-terrorismCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)FranceEuropeParisPoliticsUK newsWorld newsSun, 15 Nov 2015 17:35:23 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/15/uk-police-and-security-services-help-in-hunt-for-paris-attackersPhotograph: Handout/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Handout/Getty ImagesRajeev Syal2015-11-15T17:35:23ZUK security increases after Paris attackshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/15/uk-security-paris-attacks-theresa-may
<p>Theresa May will chair Cobra meeting to discuss response to attacks, as police and border force presence strengthened</p><p> Security in the UK has been increased, with more checks at Britain’s borders and more police officers deployed on the streets in response to <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/paris-attacks">Friday’s attacks</a> by Islamic State jihadis in Paris, Theresa May has confirmed.</p><p>The home secretary will chair a Cobra meeting on Sunday to discuss the UK government’s response to the attacks in Paris, which resulted in the deaths of at least 129 people. Britain’s terror threat level remains “severe”, but David Cameron has said it will be reviewed.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/15/frenchman-charged-gatwick-airport-security-alert">French man charged over Gatwick security alert</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/13/eyewitness-accounts-paris-attacks">Witness accounts from across Paris: 'I saw my final hour unfurl before me'</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/15/uk-security-paris-attacks-theresa-may">Continue reading...</a>UK security and counter-terrorismTheresa MayParis attacksIslamic StateCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)Andrew MarrUK newsFranceEuropeParisPoliticsWorld newsSun, 15 Nov 2015 11:00:45 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/15/uk-security-paris-attacks-theresa-mayPhotograph: Andy Rain/EPAPhotograph: Andy Rain/EPARajeev Syal2015-11-15T11:00:45ZTheresa May to chair Cobra meeting as Cameron pushes for end to Calais crisishttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/29/theresa-may-cobra-meeting-cameron-end-to-calais-crisis
<p>Home secretary will hold emergency meeting on Wednesday morning, after prime minister says government is doing ‘everything we can’ to stop migrants</p><p>Home secretary Theresa May will chair an emergency Cobra ministerial meeting on Wednesday morning on the growing Calais migrant crisis, David Cameron has announced.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/27/migrant-camp-fortress-calais-jungle">Fleeting fixtures and precarious lives in the migrant camp of Fortress Calais</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/29/theresa-may-cobra-meeting-cameron-end-to-calais-crisis">Continue reading...</a>Immigration and asylumCalais holidaysFranceDavid CameronCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)EuropeWorld newsPoliticsUK newsTheresa MayWed, 29 Jul 2015 06:05:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/29/theresa-may-cobra-meeting-cameron-end-to-calais-crisisPhotograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty ImagesPatrick Wintour and agencies2015-07-29T06:05:20ZTunisia attack: police on alert amid fears UK toll will hit 30https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-uk-security-force-tourist-resorts
<p data-dropid="0">Almost 400 officers deployed to UK airports as tally of victims expected to at least double and Tunisian police widen search for accomplices</p><p>The number of Britons killed in Friday’s beach massacre in Tunisia is now expected to pass 30, it has emerged, as hundreds of British police were deployed in one of the biggest counter-terror operations since the London bombings on 7 July 2005.<br></p><p>Informed sources said the eventual death toll could be even higher. So far only 15 Britons have been confirmed among the 38 dead in a process overseen by a British coroner whose job has been complicated because of the nature and location of the attack, and the numbers involved.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/27/tunisia-beach-attack-the-victims">Tunisia beach attack: the victims</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-british-death-toll-rise-above-15-theresa-may">British death toll from Tunisia attack set to rise above 15, says Theresa May</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-uk-security-force-tourist-resorts">Continue reading...</a>UK security and counter-terrorismTunisiaAfricaMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsUK newsIslamic StateMetropolitan policePoliceCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)LondonPoliticsMon, 29 Jun 2015 06:52:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-uk-security-force-tourist-resortsPhotograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesRobert Booth, Vikram Dodd, Peter Walker, Andrew Sparrow, and Chris Stephen in Sousse2015-06-29T06:52:03ZBritish deaths in Tunisia attack likely to rise above 15, says Theresa Mayhttps://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-british-death-toll-rise-above-15-theresa-may
<p data-dropid="0">Home secretary also defends Foreign Office delays in informing families about fate of relatives as new details about massacre emerge</p><p>The death toll of British victims of the Islamist gunman who killed 38 people at a Tunisian beach resort is expected to rise above the current tally of 15, with a series of anguished relatives saying they are still awaiting news about loved ones.</p><p>The home secretary, Theresa May, who chaired a meeting of the government’s Cobra security committee on Sunday, said the confirmed number of British dead after Friday’s massacre at Sousse remained at 15, but was expected to rise.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-uk-security-force-tourist-resorts">Tunisian police hunt for accomplices to tourist beach attack</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/27/tunisia-beach-attack-the-victims">Tunisia beach attack: the victims</a> </p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-british-death-toll-rise-above-15-theresa-may">Continue reading...</a>TunisiaAfricaMiddle East and North AfricaWorld newsIslamic StateUK newsTheresa MayPoliticsCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)Sun, 28 Jun 2015 16:11:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/28/tunisia-attack-british-death-toll-rise-above-15-theresa-mayPhotograph: Andreas Gebert/dpa/CorbisPhotograph: Andreas Gebert/dpa/CorbisPeter Walker2015-06-28T16:11:53ZTwo Australians on downed MH17 lost relatives on missing flight MH370https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/18/two-australians-mh17-shot-down-ukraine-relatives-mh370
Family who suffered loss in March tragedy ripped apart again after Malaysia Airlines jet carrying 298 people is shot down<p>Two of the 28 Australians killed when MH17 was shot down over Ukraine were members of a family who lost two other relatives when Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared in March, it has emerged.</p><p>Kaylene Mann, from Queensland, lost her brother and sister-in-law, Rod and Mary Burrows, when the plane vanished after diverting from its Kuala Lumpur to Beijing route. On Friday, she learned her stepdaughter, Maree Rizk, and Rizk's husband, Albert – both estate agents – had been on board the flight downed over Ukraine. "It's just ripped our guts again," Mann's brother, Greg Burrows, told reporters.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/18/two-australians-mh17-shot-down-ukraine-relatives-mh370">Continue reading...</a>Plane crashesWorld newsMalaysia Airlines flight MH17MalaysiaUK newsEuropeAustralia newsCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)PoliticsFri, 18 Jul 2014 13:59:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/18/two-australians-mh17-shot-down-ukraine-relatives-mh370Photograph: Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesPieces of wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 a day after it crashed in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Photograph: Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesPieces of wreckage of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 a day after it crashed in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Photograph: Dominique Faget/AFP/Getty ImagesPeter Walker2014-07-18T13:59:00ZCameron: culprits who shot down MH17 must be held to accounthttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/18/mh17-crash-cameron-cobra-meeting-uk-response
Prime minister speaks after chairing Cobra meeting on Malaysia Airlines jet brought down over Ukraine on Thursday<p>NEW VERSION</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/18/mh17-crash-cameron-cobra-meeting-uk-response">Continue reading...</a>Air transportWorld Health OrganisationCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)World newsMalaysia Airlines flight MH17UK newsDavid CameronPoliticsFri, 18 Jul 2014 09:42:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/18/mh17-crash-cameron-cobra-meeting-uk-responseAndrew Sparrow and agencies2014-07-18T09:42:18ZPolice prohibited from using secret evidence to seize media materialshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/12/police-secret-evidence-media-demands-bskyb-cobra-court
Supreme court dismisses police request for journalistic material in case involving BSkyB and information from Cobra meetings<p>Secret evidence cannot be used by the police to obtain court orders requiring journalists to hand over notebooks, photographs or digital files, the supreme court has ruled.</p><p>In a judgment on a test case involving BSkyB and the suspected leaking of highly sensitive information from meetings of the Cobra cabinet security committee, the judges unanimously dismissed a Metropolitan police request for media material.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/12/police-secret-evidence-media-demands-bskyb-cobra-court">Continue reading...</a>Metropolitan policeMediaLawUK supreme courtSky plcCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)UK newsWed, 12 Mar 2014 13:50:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/mar/12/police-secret-evidence-media-demands-bskyb-cobra-courtPhotograph: Roger Tooth/GuardianThe law currently does not apply to material which is acquired or created for the purposes of journalism. Photograph: Roger Tooth for the GuardianPhotograph: Roger Tooth/GuardianThe law currently does not apply to material which is acquired or created for the purposes of journalism. Photograph: Roger Tooth for the GuardianOwen Bowcott, legal affairs correspondent2014-03-12T13:50:30ZInsurers accuse Miliband of raising false hopes for UK flood victimshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/18/insurers-accuse-miliband-false-hopes-flood-payouts
ABI calls Labour leader irresponsible for saying insurance payouts should be sent out 'within weeks'<p>A furious insurance industry branded Ed Miliband as irresponsible and accused him of raising false hopes when he suggested that insured victims of the floods should receive payments within weeks.</p><p>Insurers also challenged claims by the Labour leader's office that Miliband had recently met senior executives in the insurance industry, saying they had been seeking a meeting with him for some days.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/18/insurers-accuse-miliband-false-hopes-flood-payouts">Continue reading...</a>Ed MilibandFloodingHome insuranceInsurance industryOliver LetwinCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)Natural disasters and extreme weatherFirefightersEnvironmentUK newsPoliticsBusinessInsuranceConsumer affairsMoneyTue, 18 Feb 2014 20:50:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/18/insurers-accuse-miliband-false-hopes-flood-payoutsPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesHomes in Moorland, on the Somerset Levels, pictured surrounded by flood water on Tuesday. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesHomes in Moorland, on the Somerset Levels, pictured surrounded by flood water on Tuesday. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesPatrick Wintour2014-02-18T20:50:52ZFloods crisis intensifies as Met Office warns of yet more rainhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/09/flooding-crisis-intensifies-met-office
Rail links to south-west remain severed while severe flood warnings issued along banks of Thames<p>The flooding crisis intensified on Sunday as householders in some of the UK's most exclusive riverside neighbourhoods on the banks of the Thames were issued with severe flood warnings, the rail link to the south-west remained completely cut off and the Met Office warned yet more rain was on the way.</p><p>Police were investigating whether the death of a seven-year-old boy was connected to the floodwater that swamped his Surrey home and rescuers were searching for a canoeist who went missing on the river Usk in Wales. An elderly woman was being treated for severe injuries in Birmingham after her car was hit by a tree.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/09/flooding-crisis-intensifies-met-office">Continue reading...</a>FloodingEnvironmentEnvironment AgencyPoliticsUK newsNigel FarageDavid CameronCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)Met OfficeSun, 09 Feb 2014 19:57:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/09/flooding-crisis-intensifies-met-officePhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesUkip leader Nigel Farage donned waders to visit some of those affected by flooding. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesUkip leader Nigel Farage donned waders to visit some of those affected by flooding. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesSteven Morris, Maev Kennedy, Patrick Wintour2014-02-09T19:57:13ZUK floods: political blame game deepens as weather warnings persisthttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/09/uk-floods-political-blame-game-severe-weather-warnings
• Flood alerts covering entire south and south-west coasts<br />• All rail links to West Country cut<br />• Further weather warnings issued for week ahead<p>With forecasts of at least another week of gales and torrential rain, severe weather warnings and hundreds of flood alerts covering the entire south and south-west coasts of England, and all rail links to the West Country severed for the first time, the flood waters and the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/09/eric-pickles-apologises-floods-environment-agency-somerset" title="">political blame game</a> are both deepening.</p><p>Firefighters, assisted by soldiers from a nearby barracks, were working round the clock to keep the floods away from an electricity substation at Burghfield, near Reading in Berkshire, which supplies power to 40,000 homes and businesses. The power station is near the river Thames which burst its banks in several places over the weekend, closing many roads in the area.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/09/uk-floods-political-blame-game-severe-weather-warnings">Continue reading...</a>FloodingCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)David CameronEric PicklesWeatherNatural disasters and extreme weatherWorld newsEnvironmentPoliticsUK newsSun, 09 Feb 2014 13:59:59 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/09/uk-floods-political-blame-game-severe-weather-warningsPhotograph: Matt Devine/Barcroft MediaThe Burrowbridge area of the Somerset Levels, where water levels have been rising 0.6cm an hour. Photograph: Matt Devine/Barcroft MediaPhotograph: Matt Devine/Barcroft MediaThe Burrowbridge area of the Somerset Levels, where water levels have been rising 0.6cm an hour. Photograph: Matt Devine/Barcroft MediaMaev Kennedy2014-02-09T13:59:59ZIf David Cameron were serious about the floods, he'd become a socialist | Alex Andreouhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/07/david-cameron-floods-socialist-crisis-prevention
Cameron can chair all the Cobra meetings he likes, but crisis prevention requires a well-funded, paternalistic state<p>Question: What is a beleaguered prime minister to do in a crisis, when all else fails? Answer: chair a meeting with a cool-sounding name, like Cobra. <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Cameron/statuses/430985104249614336" title="">Then tweet about it</a> . Nothing has actually changed; nothing has been done; the savage budget cuts to the Environment Agency – which many have been warning for a long time <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/public-leaders-network/2013/oct/16/environment-agency-cuts-spending-review-impact" title="">will affect flood management</a> – have not been reversed. It is cynically designed to make people feel better. Make people feel as if they're being listened to.</p><p>Government <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/environment/flooding" title="">reaction to the floods</a> in Somerset brings into sharp focus a central conundrum for any rightwing, neoliberal administration. It is the battle of populism versus ideology. An emergency on this scale requires them to behave, quite simply, like socialists. It requires a well co-ordinated, firm, top-down response, and the spending of tax revenue to alleviate misery, on the strict basis of need rather than worthiness. At the same time, every ideological fibre in a neoliberal's soul must rebel. What he wishes to say is: "Caveat emptor. You bought property in an area constantly hit by floods. You should be prepared for this. You should have expensive insurance that covers you." They dare not, for fear of being politically savaged.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/07/david-cameron-floods-socialist-crisis-prevention">Continue reading...</a>FloodingDavid CameronPoliticsCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)ConservativesFri, 07 Feb 2014 13:45:18 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/07/david-cameron-floods-socialist-crisis-preventionPhotograph: Andy Rain/EPA‘George Bush, a self-professed shrinker of federal government, displayed a similar inability to act in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.' Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAPhotograph: Andy Rain/EPA‘George Bush, a self-professed shrinker of federal government, displayed a similar inability to act in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.' Photograph: Andy Rain/EPAAlex Andreou2014-02-07T13:45:18ZDavid Cameron takes over Cobra chair to deal with emergencies due to floodshttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/05/david-cameron-cobra-floods-help-south
'Unrestricted help' promised by PM amid forecast of further storms to come in southern England<p>David Cameron took personal control of emergency efforts to help households stricken by floods on Wednesday and promised unrestricted help amid warnings of more devastating storms and floods to hit the south-west.</p><p>The prime minister took over chairmanship of the government's disaster committee – Cobra – and pledged to do "everything that can be done" to help those affected and set aside an extra £100m to help with flood repairs and maintenance.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/05/david-cameron-cobra-floods-help-south">Continue reading...</a>David CameronCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)FloodingOwen PatersonWeatherLiberal-Conservative coalitionPoliticsEnvironmentUK newsWed, 05 Feb 2014 20:21:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/05/david-cameron-cobra-floods-help-southPhotograph: SWNS/James Millar/Part of the Dawlish railway in Devon damaged by gale force winds and high seas this week. Photograph: SWNS/James Millar/Photograph: SWNS/James Millar/Part of the Dawlish railway in Devon damaged by gale force winds and high seas this week. Photograph: SWNS/James Millar/Rowena Mason and Steven Morris2014-02-05T20:21:25ZMassive cuts risk England's ability to deal with floods, MPs sayhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/07/england-floods-budget-cuts
Report warns of impact of budget cuts on coping with extreme weather emergencies<p>"Massive" and ongoing cuts to the budget of the department of environment, food and rural affairs mean its ability to respond to emergencies such as flooding is in danger, according to a <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmenvfru/741/74102.htm">report by MPs published on Tuesday</a>.</p><p>"Recent flooding events reinforce our concerns about cuts to the Defra budget. It is a small ministry facing massive cuts," said Anne McIntosh, Conservative MP and chairman of the <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/environment-food-and-rural-affairs-committee/" title="">Efra select committee</a>. "Ministers must clarify how further budgets will impact on ... the ability of the department to respond to emergencies."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/07/england-floods-budget-cuts">Continue reading...</a>FloodingEnvironment AgencyWeatherEnvironmentUK newsWorld newsNatural disasters and extreme weatherOwen PatersonPoliticsTax and spendingCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)Tue, 07 Jan 2014 08:41:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/07/england-floods-budget-cutsPhotograph: Steve Parsons/PAEnvironment Agency workers lay sandbags onto river defence barriers next to the River Thames on Osney Island in Oxford. The EA is facing cuts to its budget and has to reduce staff. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PAPhotograph: Steve Parsons/PAEnvironment Agency workers lay sandbags onto river defence barriers next to the River Thames on Osney Island in Oxford. The EA is facing cuts to its budget and has to reduce staff. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PADamian Carrington2014-01-07T08:41:00ZWeather warnings: avoid coastal or riverside paths, say agencieshttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/03/weather-warnings-avoid-coast-river-paths-storms-environment-agency
UK environment agencies warn of threat to life in flood areas as high winds batter south-west and Wales and head for Scotland<p>People are being strongly advised not to walk on coastal paths and promenades or near floodwater as high winds continued to batter southern and western parts of the UK.</p><p>The rivers Stour in Dorset and Severn in Gloucestershire burst their banks, sandbag defences were set up near Belfast docks and Scotland is bracing itself for blasts of up to 80mph as storm surges that flooded towns and villages in England move northwards.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/03/weather-warnings-avoid-coast-river-paths-storms-environment-agency">Continue reading...</a>WeatherUK newsFloodingNatural disasters and extreme weatherEnvironmentScotlandEnvironment AgencyWalesCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)Fri, 03 Jan 2014 17:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/03/weather-warnings-avoid-coast-river-paths-storms-environment-agencyPhotograph: Keith Morris/Barcroft MediaMassive waves pound against the promenade and harbour in Aberystwyth, Wales. Environment agencies have warned of the dangers of watching waves from coastal paths. Photograph: Keith Morris/Barcroft MediaPhotograph: Keith Morris/Barcroft MediaMassive waves pound against the promenade and harbour in Aberystwyth, Wales. Environment agencies have warned of the dangers of watching waves from coastal paths. Photograph: Keith Morris/Barcroft MediaJames Meikle, Henry McDonald, Owen Duffy and agency2014-01-03T17:01:00ZUK flood defences praised for saving lives and property on east coasthttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/06/uk-flood-defences-storm-surge-east-coast
Huge storm and tidal surge pass without major destruction despite water rising above levels of 1953 great flood<br /><br />• <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/06/east-coast-britain-hit-tidal-surge-floods-weather-live-updates" title="">Click here for live weather and flooding updates</a><p>Britain's flood defences and flood warnings that led to thousands of people leaving their homes in the face of record-breaking high tides along the east coast have saved lives and property, according to the <a href="http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx" title="">Environment Agency</a> and police.</p><p>Although two people died on Thursday in fierce storms, which disrupted large parts of the country, overnight flooding from coastal surges was not as bad as expected.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/06/uk-flood-defences-storm-surge-east-coast">Continue reading...</a>WeatherUK newsCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)PoliticsFloodingEnvironmentScotlandTransportRail transportFri, 06 Dec 2013 10:54:29 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/dec/06/uk-flood-defences-storm-surge-east-coastPhotograph: David Whinham/ David Whinham/Demotix/CorbisFlooding on Newcastle's Quayside after the worst storm surge since 1953. Photograph: David Whinham/Demotix/CorbisPhotograph: David Whinham/ David Whinham/Demotix/CorbisFlooding on Newcastle's Quayside after the worst storm surge since 1953. Photograph: David Whinham/Demotix/CorbisJames Meikle, Patrick Barkham, Andrew Sparrow, Andrew Culf and agencies2013-12-06T10:54:29ZArt in an emergency: why we set up a second Cobra committeehttps://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/oct/03/cobra-emergency-committee-artist-response
When politics is so concerned with performance and aesthetics, says <strong>Theo Price</strong>, it makes sense for art to respond in kind<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/gallery/2013/oct/02/cobra-emergency-committee-critical-response" title="">Artists repond to Cobra emergency committee – in pictures</a><p>The cobra is renowned for its ability to rear up and expand its neck in a performance intended to discourage attack. This power display is created via an extended hood, arched head and swaying body. The British government's emergency committee <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2002/oct/21/Whitehall.uk" title="">Cobra</a> (or Cabinet Office briefing room A) attempts the same feat. When a perceived emergency appears, Cobra raises its head, puffs out its white collars and performs the dance of power on multiple media platforms.</p><p>Cobra has met three times in 2013: firstly when hostages were being held in an <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/interactive/2013/jan/25/algeria-hostage-crisis-full-story" title="">Algerian gas plant</a>; secondly in response to the killing of <a href="http://" title="">Lee Rigby in Woolwich</a>; and only recently after the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/21/nairobi-shopping-centre-terror-attack" title="">attack in the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi</a>. Alongside these three 'emergency' meetings, a collection of artists and writers have also been convening in a small room (read, pub) in Whitehall to discuss their response.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/oct/03/cobra-emergency-committee-artist-response">Continue reading...</a>Culture professionals networkPolicyArtArt and designPhotographyCultureArt and designBooksCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)PoliticsProtestWorld newsThu, 03 Oct 2013 10:30:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/oct/03/cobra-emergency-committee-artist-responsePhotograph: Adam Ferguson/Adam Ferguson/VIICobra: A Critical Response was formed by a group of Goldsmiths alumni, including photographer Adam Ferguson. Photograph: Adam Ferguson/Adam Ferguson/VIIPhotograph: Adam Ferguson/Adam Ferguson/VIICobra: A Critical Response was formed by a group of Goldsmiths alumni, including photographer Adam Ferguson. Photograph: Adam Ferguson/Adam Ferguson/VIITheo Price2013-10-03T10:30:00ZArtists respond to Cobra emergency committee – in pictureshttps://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/gallery/2013/oct/02/cobra-emergency-committee-critical-response
Whenever the government's Cobra emergency committee meets in Downing Street, a parallel group of artists gather in a pub on Whitehall to respond in kind. Their latest work is collected in a new book, Cobra: A Critical Response 1.1, with contributions including a cartoon by the Guardian's Steve Bell<br /><br /><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/2013/oct/03/cobra-emergency-committee-artist-response">Art in an emergency: why we set up a second Cobra committee</a> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/gallery/2013/oct/02/cobra-emergency-committee-critical-response">Continue reading...</a>Culture professionals networkPolicyArt and designCultureCobra (Civil Contingencies Committee)PoliticsProtestArt and designBooksThu, 03 Oct 2013 09:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/culture-professionals-network/culture-professionals-blog/gallery/2013/oct/02/cobra-emergency-committee-critical-responsePhotograph: Theo PriceO.M.G by Theo Price, 2013 Photograph: Theo PricePhotograph: Theo PriceO.M.G by Theo Price, 2013 Photograph: Theo PriceGuardian Staff2013-10-03T09:00:00Z